ABDUL RASHEED AZAD & WASIM IQBAL

ISLAMABAD: National Security Advisor (NSA) Nasir Janjua said on Monday that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif (retd) would help unite the Muslim countries “if he leads the Islamic military alliance.”

In an informal talk with media after a day-long, seminar titled ‘Maritime Security in Indian Ocean’ in Islamabad, Janjua expressed hope that Raheel would remove misunderstandings among Muslim countries with his experience. According to him, Iran, along with some other countries that are opposing the alliance, will be benefit from his appointment.

He said, “I am not sure whether or not General Raheel Sharif is taking over the command of the Saudi-led coalition military alliance but if it happens, it will be beneficial for the entire Muslim Ummah.”

The government of Pakistan has agreed to give a no-objection certificate (NOC) to General Raheel Sharif (Retd) to lead a 39-nation alliance of Muslim states led by Saudi Arabia.

During the conference, Nasir Janjua said Pakistan would play a better role to serve the peace and economic growth of the world with its strategic connectivity.

He said Pakistan is on its way to become a hub of trade, economy and industry with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The adviser said achievement of lasting peace in Afghanistan will pave way to gain benefits from the CPEC by Central Asian Republics as well as other states in the region.

He said that Indo-Afghan nexus is creating a two-front situation for Pakistan.

Janjua, while underscoring the importance of maritime security, in his keynote address said: “Inter-state tensions in the region and significant investments in blue-water navies by countries like India have brought oceans into focus as sensitive security space.”

He said Pakistan sees a great future along with Afghanistan which will come around with reconciliation, peace and stability in that country. He said the vision of ‘Asia’s Century’ was under stress because “security architecture and strategic stability of the region have come under stress.”

Through Indo-US logistics exchange agreement, he said, “India and US have carved out space to pre-position themselves on this ocean.” India, he added, is being propped up as a counter-weight to China through geopolitical, geo-economic and geo-military moves.

“Maritime security is gradually becoming more important for Pakistan’s security and the leadership of the country is considering the maritime security as one of the major aspects of national security.

“Indian Ocean is considered among the most strategically important regions in the world. Its significance is believed to have been increased since Gwadar Port became operational, following connection with the CPEC.”

Speaking as the chief guest, Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said: “There is no surprise that our competitors are opposed to the CPEC, and are already seeking to sabotage it. It is of the utmost importance, therefore, that we must be fully-prepared to deal with any and all challenges that may arise as these opportunities unfold, not the least in the maritime arena.”

Unveiling the recommendations of the conference, Senator Sehar Kamran said: “Maritime security is a pivotal aspect of Pakistan’s national security and must be acknowledged as such. A comprehensive and long-term maritime security policy with a futuristic approach based on projected requirements for the coming decades in both civilian and military maritime sectors is the need of time.”

The participants suggested that existing National Maritime Policy should be reviewed to make it more inclusive and forward looking so that it could address trade, economic, environmental and security elements for the protection and projection of Pakistan’s maritime interests. Creation of National Maritime Authority, allocation of necessary resources, research, expansion/development and establishment of new ports, particularly along the Makran Coast, were also proposed.

The recommendations placed special emphasis on development and modernisation of Pakistan Navy for being the guardians of the maritime boundaries. “Pakistan should increase and modernise its naval fleet, and pursue technological advancements in sea-based deterrents to ensure second strike capability, especially in the context of the growing threats in the AAOR by our belligerent neighbor.”

Former Naval Chief Adm Muhammad Sandila (retd) raised the issue of problems confronting development of Gwadar. “Until those challenges are addressed, Gwadar is not going to take off. CPEC minus Gwadar would just be an extension of the Karakoram Highway.”

Rear Admiral (retd) Mukhtar Jadoon, former additional secretary Ministry of Defense, cautioned, “The available resources are inadequate to meet the maritime security dictates.”

The conference recommended greater diplomatic engagement with littoral states in the Afro-Asian Ocean Region to promote mutual trust and cooperation in development of the region, besides enhancing Pakistan’s access to African markets. It called for a review of UN Resolution 2832 that declares this Ocean as Zone of Peace to address the concerns of littoral states including its nuclearisation. “Pakistan must take the initiative in strongly opposing the increased instability produced by the introduction of nuclear weapons by India in the ocean,” it was recommended.

It was also proposed that India may also be roped into the connectivity net as it is identified as the only way forward towards promoting peace and stability in the region and ensuring the security of investments like CPEC.

Former Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed (retd) said: “If we have the requisite infrastructure and enabling environment at Gwadar and the region, Gwadar will surely emerge as the economic hub of the region.” He stressed that Iranian port Chahbahar poses no challenge to Gwadar and the two can compliment each other.

Rear Admiral Pervaiz Asghar (retd), former DG National Centre for Maritime Policy Research, pointed to the threat of India’s naval expansion, but also drew attention to non-traditional threats. He asked for “a coordinated and unified response to an array of common non-traditional threats that are increasingly becoming the norm.”

The conference participated by policymakers, legislators, maritime experts and academics, further supported the idea of identifying the Indian Ocean as ‘Afro-Asian Ocean’ to give a sense of ownership to the littoral states since the ocean is bound by two continents.

A set of 25 wide-ranging policy recommendations was issued at the conclusion of the conference. The participants of the conference called for a broad-based national maritime policy, modernisation of navy, and expansion of diplomatic engagement with the littoral states of the Afro-Asian Ocean Region (more commonly known as Indian Ocean) for peace and security and capitalising on the opportunities created by the CPEC.